Rotary slip lifter



Feb. 1, 1944. KELLEY 2,340,597

ROTARY SLIP LIFTER Filed March 23, 1942 3 Shgets-Sheet 1 FIG. 4

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Feb. 1, 1944. B. F. KELLEY ROTARY SLIP LIFTER Filed Malch 23, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 B- F KELLEY wvmm A TTORNEYS.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 B. F. KELLEY Rb'rARY SLIP LIFTER Filed March 23, 1942 YNVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 1, 1944.

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Patented Feb. 1, 1944 NITED STATES PATENT oi-"rics ROTARY SLIP LIFTER Benjamin F. Kelley, Tulsa, Okla. Application March 23, 1942, Serial No. 435,851 9 Claims. (Cl. 24-263) The invention relates to a device for lifting rotary slips, and is adapted particularly for raising and lowering pipe-gripping slips into and out of engagement with drill pipe or casing being run in and out of a well through a conventional rotary table, without removing the slips and the slip spider from the table.

When running drill pipe or casing in or out or a well being drilled by the use of a rotary table, it is necessary, of course, to 'add sections or remove sections of the pipe, as the case may be. While a section is being added or removed from the string, it is necessary to support the remainder of the pipe string which is suspended .in the well. When a Joint has been added, the string must then be lowered in the well for a distance equal to the length of the newly added joint, and the string again supported, in order that an additional joint may be added to the string. When breaking-out a pipe string, the reverse operations take place, the pipe string being held Just below the top joint, while that joint is removed; then the string is drawn upwardly until another Joint is exposed above the top of the well; the main string again suitably supported and the newly exposed'joint removed, and so on. Often it is desired to rotate the rotary table while it supports the portion of the string in the well, to aid in making-up or breaking-out joints of pipe.

Normally, while the string is being raised or lowered, the slips heretofore commonly used are removed completely from the table and are only inserted at the moment it is desired to grip and support the string in the rotary table.

The present invention has for its principal obiect the provision of an improved form of rotary slip lifterfor inserting and removing the slips, as required, without removing them bodily from the rotary table, while the rotary table is stationary or rotating as desired.

Another object is the provision of an improved form of slip lifting device whereby the slips may be retracted or advanced simultaneously and uniformly relative to the pipe while moving vertically relative to the rotary table.

A further object is the provision, in a device of the character described, of an improved form of inter-slip linkage for Joining a plurality of slips into a unitary assembly forming a segment of the entire slip assembly. whereby each unitary assembly maybe connected to the lifting ring by a single linkage.

Still another object is to provide a form of slip and lifting assembly wherein the entire assembly is arranged in two half-sections .ior rapid and efllcient assembly and disassembly or the device. Other and more specific objects and advantages i this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a useful embodiment in accordance with this invention.

In the drawings: I Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device, partly in section, showing, on of, the parts 01' the device in the position when the slips are raised in pipe-releasing position, and on the left hand side showing the position of the parts when the slips are lowered into pipe-g p s si i n;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device with all of the slips lowered into the pipe-gripping position;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional vice taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and showing the spider and slips in the raised position in full lines, and the lowered position in dotted outlines; 4 is an external side elevation showing the device in position on a rotary table;

Figs. 5 and 6 are top and side views, respectively, of one of the slips; and

Figs. 7 and 8 are top and side views, tively, of one of the link members linking together adjacent slips.

Referring to the drawings, the device, in acrespecemplo'yed xor cordance with this invention comprises a 811;)

- which extends through ably perforated portion of the ring. The outer bowl 8 or generally conventional downwardly pered conical iorm, havingal laterally extending flange 2 about its upper edge, and which is adapted to be non-rotatably seated in the usual master bushing 3 of a conventional rotary table 4. Blip bowl I is formed in two halves being split dia metrically at 5.

A slip supporting spider, designated generally by the numeral 6 comprises a ring I, split dia= metrically at 8, the halves of the ring being del tachably connected by means of connectors I. which are c-shaped in cross section and .which span the ends of the ring halves and the splits I. The connectors 9 are pivotally attached at to an end of one-half of ring i and to the adjacent end of the other ring half by means of a pin II the connector and a suitperiphery of ring .l'is provided with opening circumferential channel I 2.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings six pipe-gripping slips l3 are arranged and adapted to be inserted in slip bowl I. The slips are of the usual wedge-shaped outline and have seran outwardly the right hand side thereelevation of the de-- center slip by means of flat link plates I4, two

opposite side edges of which have cylindrical heads I! which are adapted to enter registering slot l3 milled into the adjacent end faces of continuous slips. Slots it are positioned intermediate the front and rear faces of the slips and the inner ends of the slots are cylindrically milled to permit rotative movement of the beads II therein. The upper portions of the tubular inner ends of slots ii are threaded to receive threaded plugs 11 for conflning the link plates ll within the slots. The side faces of slots i6 are machined to taper outwardly from the cylindrical inner ends to the end faces of the slips. The outward taper of the sides of slots I6 is adapted to provide substantial clearance between the sides of the slots and the adacent side faces of link plates l4, whereby the outer slips of each group have a limited degree of swinging movement relative to the center slip about the cylindrical beads l5 as pivots. This permits the slips of each group to spread apart when lifted from the bowl. The spreading action is aided by coil springs l8 extending between the adjacent end faces of the center and outside slips of each group, the springs being seated in suitable registering recesses l3 bored into these adjacent end faces and normally tending to force the slips apart.

The center slip of each of the slip groups is provided onits upper end with an upstanding lug 20 having an aperture 2! extending transversely therethrough. Lug 20 is pivotally connected between the adlacent ends of a pair of spaced parallel bellcrank levers 2222 by means of a pivot pin 23 extending through aperture 2| and the ends of levers 22-22. The opposite ends of levers 22 are pivotally connected by means of a hinge pin 24 to a pair of hinge arms 25-25, which are in turn pivotally connected by means of a hinge pin to a bracket 3| which is rigidly mounted on flange 2. A pair of spaced parallel links 2626 are pivotally connected at 21 to intermediate points on levers 22-22, the opposite ends of links 2626 being hingedly connected at 28 to a lug 29 attached to ring 1. Lugs 23 are positioned at the mid-portions of the halves of ring 1, being thus positioned diametrically opposite each other on the ring. By means of the bell-crank linkage between each group of slips and the ring 1 the groups of links are drawn upwardlyand outwardly relative to the axis of slip bowl I when the ring is raised and are thus retracted to a pipe-releasing position. Lowering of the ring reverses these movements of the slips and inserts them into the slip-bowl into a pipegripping position. To guide the ring 1 in its vertical movements relative to the top of the slip bowl, a plurality of circumferentially spaced leg members 32 are attached to ring 1 and extend downwardly therefrom. An equal number of hollow standards 33 are mounted on the upper face of flange 2 and are adapted to receive leg members 32 which reciprocate in the bores of standards 33 when ring 8 is raised and lowered. Legs 32 and standards 33 are so positioned as to align splits 8 in ring I with splits 5 forming the divisiombetween thehalves of the slip bowl. The upper portion of the bore of slip bowl I is chamfered at 34 to taper outwardly relative to the axis of the bowl at a greater angle than the remainder of the bowl in order to permit greater lateral displacement of the slips at the top of the bowl.

The mechanism for lifting and lowering the spider 3 and the attached slips consists of a semicircular operating yoke 35 adapted to encircle half of ring 1, the open ends and center of the yoke being provided with rollers 38 extending into channel [2 of the ring, whereby the ring is rendered freely rotatable within the enclosing yoke. The end rollers 36 are positioned in channel l2 on diametrically opposite sides of the ring, and together with the roller positioned at the center of the yoke, cooperate with the flanged sides of channel 12 to rotatablysupport the ring in a substantially level horizontal position throughout its reciprocating movements, and thereby raise and lower the slips evenly and in unison.

Attached to the back of yoke 35 and extending rearwardly therefrom are a pair of flat hinge plates 3131 which are spaced apart and are elongated vertically. A second pair of hinge plates 38-38 of generally similar form to plates 31-31 are spaced rearwardly from the latter in general alignment therewith and are supported upon a horizontal arm 39. Each of the plates 31 and the corresponding plate 38 forms two sides of a parallelogram hinge, the other twosides of which are formed by pairs of parallel hinge bars 40-40 which have their ends pivotally connected to plates 31 and 38 by means of vertically spaced hinge pins 4l-4l and l242 extending horizontally between the pairs of hinge plates 31-31 and 3838, respectively. The upper pair of hinge bars 4043 are rigidly connected to an operating handle 43. Horizontal arm 39 extends through a tubular sleeve 44 which is enclosed by a clamp 45 which is mounted to swivel on a pedestal 46 which is rigidly attached to a suitable base s'tructure not shown. A locking pin 41 extends through arm 39 and sleeve 44 to lock these members together.

With the above described mechanism, the slips l3 may be lowered into slip bowl I by raising operating handle 43 from the position shown in Fig. l to the position shown in Fig. 4. Reverse movement of the handle 43 raises the slips from the bowl and retracts them. These movements of the handle operate through the parallel hinge connection to operating yoke 35 to lower or raise the latter, as the case may be, and yoke 35 ill turn acts through the contact of rollers 35 with ring 1 to raise and lower ring 1 and the slip groups suspended therefrom. By use of the parallelogram form of hinge connection between the yoke and the operating handle, the movement of ring 1 relative to the top of the slip bowl is constrained to be truly vertical and all of the slips will therefore, be retracted and advanced in an even and Y slips while these elements are being rotated by rotation of the rotary table on which they are mounted. The necessity for complete removal of the slips from the table is thus avoided when running-in or breaking-out pipe strings in a well, the slips being always held in position for use in gripping the pipe at any time such action may be desired.

In order to remove the spider assembly from the rotary table, a few simple operations are required, locking pin 41 is withdrawn and arm a is moved a short distance in the right-hand direction through sleeve 44. This retracts yoke 35 from contact with ring 1 and disconnects the lifting mechanism from the spider mechanism.

Pins Ii are withdrawn from clamps 9 and the latter are then swung about hinge points ID to the position shown in dotted outlines in Fig. 2. This disconnects the half sections of ring I from each other and permits the entire spider assembly, including the slip bowl, to be lifted out of the master bushing in two parts, the parts separating along the aligned splits 5 and 8 of the lifting ring and slip-bowl respectively. To reassemble the device these few simple operations arereversed.

Although the embodiment illustrated and described herein employs six pipe-gripping slips arranged in groups of three, each group being included in one-half of the complete spider assembly, it will be understood that the number and specific form of the slips in each group may be varied, since this invention is'not to be restricted to these specific features.

It will be understood that various other alterations and modifications may be made in the' details of the device herein described without departing from. the scope of the appended claims but within the spirit of this invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

i. In a' rotary well drilling apparatus, a drill spider comprising, a slip bowl, a horizontally disposed lifting ring vertically spaced from the top of the slip bowl and adapted for vertical reciprocation relative thereto, two separate groups of pipe-gripping slips having separate operating linkages to opposite sides of said ring and said slip bowl whereby said groups of slips may be' inserted into and retracted from said slip bowl in unison by the reciprocation of said ring, and a reciprocating mechanism for said ring having rotative engagement therewith.

2. In a rotary well drilling apparatus, a drill spider comprising, a slip bowl, a horizontally disposed lifting ring vertically spaced from the top of the slip bowl and adapted for vertical reciprocation relative thereto, said ring and slip bowl being formed in two complementary concentric sections, releasable connection members connecting the ring sections together, two separate groups of pipe-gripping slips having separate operating linkages to opposite sides of said and said slip bowl intermediate the ends of said sections whereby said groups of slips may be inserted into and retracted from said slip bowl in unison by the reciprocation of said ring, and a reciprocating mechanism for said ring having rotative engagement therewith.

3. In a rotary well drilling apparatus, a drill spider comprising, a slip bowl, a horizontally disposed lifting ring vertically spaced from the top of theslip bowland adapted for vertical recipin unison by .01 the rocation relative thereto, two separate groups 7' rocation of pipe gripping slips having'separate operating unison by the reciprocation of said ring, and a reciprocating mechanism operativel en a i said ring, saidreciprocating mechanism ific u a semi-circular yoke inwhich said ring is rotatively journalled and means ciprocating said yoke,said means including a rigid support bracket spaced fromsaid yoke, a parallelogram type hinge pivotally connecting said yoke to said bracket. and an operating lever connected to said hinge.

4. In a rotary well drilling apparatus,- a drill spider comprising, a slip bowl, a horizontally disposed lifting ring vertically spaced from the top of. said slip bowl and adapted for vertical reciprocation relative thereto, two separate groups of pipe-gripping slips having separate operating linkages to opposite sides of said ring and said slip bowl whereby said groups inserted into and retracted from said slip bowl the reciprocation of said ring, and a reciprocating mechanism for said ring having rotative engagement therewith, each of said op erating linkages comprising a bell-crank lever having one arm pivotallyconnected to a group of slips and another arm pivotally connected to said slip bowl, and a link the fulcrum of said lever to said ring. I

5. In a rotary well drilling apparatus, a drill spider comprising, a slip bowl, a horizontally disposed lifting ring vertically spaced from the 'top oi the slip bowl and adapted for vertical reciprocation relative thereto, two separate groum of pipe-gripping slips having separate operating linkages to opposite sidesof said ring and said slip bowl whereby said groups of slips may be inserted into andretracted from said slip bowl in unison by the reciprocation oi said'ring, and a reciprocating mechanism for said ring having rotative engagement therewith, each of saidv groups of slips including a plurality of hingedly connected circularly arranged slips and resilient means disposed between adjacent slips to normally urge the slips apart. I

6. In a. rotary well drilling apparatus, a drill spider comprising, posed lifting ring vertically spaced from the top of the slip bowl and adapted for vertical reciprocation relative thereto, two separate groups of pipe gripping slips having separate operating linkages to opposite sidesoi' said ring and said slip bowl whereby said groups serted into 'and retracted from said slip bowl in unison by the reciprocation of said ring, and a reciprocating mechanism operatively engaging said ring, said reciprocating mechanism including a semi-circular yoke in which said ring is rotatively joumalled and means for vertically reciprocating said yoke, said means including a hinge bracket spaced from said yoke and mounted on a horizontal support arm, a pedestal carrying a horizontal sleeve in which said support arm is adjustably mounted, said sleeve being adapted to swivel on said pedestal, a parallelogram type hinge pivotally connecting said yoke to said hinge bracket, and an operating lever connected to said hinge.

7. In a rotary well drilling apparatus, a drill spider comprising, a slip bowl, a horizontally disposed lifting ring vertically spaced from the top slip bowl and adapted for vertical reciprelative thereto, a plurality of circumfor vertically reof slips may be" pivotally connecting a slip bowl, a horizontally disof slips may be in- -annularslip support arransed for vertical reciprocation relative to said slip bowl, and spaced pipe-gripping slips having pivoted linkage both to said slip bowl to said slip support and a reciprocating mechanism for said annular slip support having rotative encasement therewith.

9. A drill spider comprising, a slip bowl, an

annular slip support arranged ior vertical reciprocation relative to said slip bowl. spaced pipe grippins slips reciprocable within said slip bowl, each of said slips having a first link member pivotally connecting it to an adjacent portion 0! said slip bowl and a second link member pivotally connecting said first link member to said slip support and a reciprocating mechanism for said annular slip support having rotative en- :gagement therewith.

BENJAIHN F. KELLEY. 

